Waterson:Carthy

Personnel includes: Norma Waterson, Martin Carthy, Eliza Carthy.
Personnel: Martin Carthy (vocals, guitar, mandolin); Eliza Carthy (vocals, fiddle); Norma Waterson (vocals); Jock Tyldesley, Nancy Kerr (fiddle).
Liner Note Author: Martin Carthy.
Recording information: Panda Studios, North Dalton, Yorkshire, England.
Photographer: Nigel Parry.
Arrangers: Eliza Carthy; Martin Carthy; Norma Waterson.
Waterson:Carthy is the parent/daughter/daughter team of Norma Waterson, Martin Carthy, and Eliza Carthy. Their eponymous first album was released to much acclaim in 1994. With the exception of one song apiece from Robert Burns and Ron Kavana (the latter providing words to the Texas waltz "Midnight on the Water"), and a tune from Eliza, the material is traditional. Eliza sings "The Grey Cock" unaccompanied; elsewhere accompaniment is provided by Martin on guitar or mandolin, Eliza on fiddle, and guests Nancy Kerr and Jock Tydesley also on fiddle.
Norma is most memorable on the melodic "When First I Came to Caledonia." She takes lead on "Midnight on the Water," with the remainder of the family joining on the choruses and three fiddles carrying the tune. "Ye Mariners All," featuring Martin's vocal and Eliza on fiddle, conjures up memories of the great Carthy/Swarbrick partnership. All three voices combine to glorious effect on "Sleep on Beloved," an earlier variant of the song more widely known via Joseph Spence and the Incredible String band as "I Bid You Good Night." All in all, this is a splendid first recording by an excellent live act.